Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15892, Samuel Ditson, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Miss.
Witson, Samuel Mary
N. 15892
CONTENTS

4.136 New Hampshire
Mary Dikson, dec d , widow of Samuel Dikson, who died on the of Cheshire in the State of N. Hampshire who was a private in the Com y commanded by Captain Pettengill of the reg t commanded by Col. Balcom in the Mass s line for 14 Mo. 20 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Pensions at the rate of 68 Dollars 88 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. Vending 17 th May 1833 when she died
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 th day of Dec r 1844 and sent to S. M c Richardson, Belham,
N.H. Arrears to the 4th of Semi-annual allowance ending
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 d }
Recorded by H. A. [unclear] Clerk Book C Vol. 1 Page 25
Payable to
Joseph Dikson, Thomas Dikson, William Dikson, Benjamin Dikson, Rhoda Wheeler, Sarah Kittredge, only Surv g Children
repo. see Letts Ag t 17 Dec r 1844.

Declaration of Sarah Ditson

State of New Hampshire ss.
On this twelfth day of September in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty seven, personally appeared before me William M. Richardson, Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Judicature in said State, Mary Ditson a resident of Pelham in the County of Hillsborough and State aforesaid, Widow, aged eighty six years, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on her Oaths make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Provision made by the Act of Congress, passed July the 4 th 1836. — That she was the lawful Wife, and is now the Widow of Samuel Ditson formerly of Billerica in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, but more recently of the City of Boston in said State Gentleman who was Orderly-Sergeant & private in the War of the Revolution, from some time in the Spring of the year A.D. 1775, to the close of the war, or nearly to that period, (as will appear by reference to the accompanying affidavits) My maiden name was Mary Grimes
His Mary Ditson mark
Subscribed as above the day and year above mentioned, in presence of the undersigned. And I do certify that I found the said Mary Ditson with all her mental faculties, particularly her memory greatly impaired by age and infirmity; but as she appeared to know those who were about her & to answer many

questions properly I administered to her an oath to make her answer to such questions as should be put to her. I then put to her the following questions to which she returned answers as below.
Question - What is your name?
Answer Mary Ditzler.
Question - What was your maiden name?
Ans. Mary Spitzer
Question - How old are you?
Ans - I cannot tell
Question - who was your husband?
Ans. Samuel Ditzler
Question - When were you married?
Ans. I cannot tell.
Question - Was your husband in the revolutionary war?
Ans - I cannot tell
Question - Did your husband go away as a soldier & leave you?
Ans Yes

Question - how long was he gone?
Ans - a good while.
Question - when did your husband die?
Ans - I cannot tell.
And I do testify that the said Mary is wholly unable to attend court & that very little if any reliance is to be placed upon her memory of any past transaction.
Wm M. Richardson

"Samuel Ditson, of Billerica, (and Mary Grimes, of Lexington, were joined in marriage September 13, 1770."
I certify that the above quo- tation is an exact copy from the records of the town of Lexing- ton Mass. and is found in Vol. 1st page 83 of Records of Births & Marriages —
Charles Tidd, Town Clerk— Lexington Mass. July 10, 1837 —
(Commonwealth of Massachusetts) I Middlesex ss. August 24 th 1837
Then personally appeared the above named Charles Tidd and made oath that he was Town clerk of said Lexington and that the above certificate by him subscribed is a true copy of record before me Matthew Blanchard Justice of the Peace

Count of Massachusetts. Middlesex ss
I Elias Thorne clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court, for said County of Middlesex, do certify that Nathan Blanchard Esquire, is a Justice of the Peace within said County of Middlesex, and that his name subscribed to the within Certificate is his genuine Signature.
In testimony whereof have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court the 2 nd day of September A D 1837.
E. Thorne

STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
Hillsborough, ss.
AT A COURT OF PROBATE HOLDEN AT Nashua in said County, on the Sixth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty- three
Before the Hon. LUKE WOODBURY, Judge, &c.
It was proved to the satisfaction of the Court, That Mary Ditson late of Pelham in said County, died at said Pelham on the seventeenth day of May in the year eighteen hundred and thirty eight
That at the time of his decease he was a REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONER , of the United States, under the act of A. D. 18
That he left six children (to wit) Joseph Ditson of Boston , Thomas Ditson of Cambridge , William Ditson of Burlington , Rhoda Wheeler wife of Reuben Wheeler of Acton , Benjamin Ditson of Methuen , all in the commonwealth of Massachusetts ; and Sarah Kittredge wife of Abner Kittredge of Pelham aforesaid
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF , I have hereunto set my name, and affixed the seal of said Court at Nashua aforesaid, this Sixth day of December A. D. 1843
Samuel N. Pattee Register of Probate.

James L. Edwards Esquire, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington City.

Pelham Mt. January 12. 1838
James S Edwards Esquire.
Sir. Your letter of the 7 th Dec. relating to the claims of Mrs Mary Ditson & Rachel Eliot, for a Pension; informing me that the service of Ditson "is very imperfectly narrated in the papers but that it is clear that the claim is asserted for service as a Sergeant in the Massachusetts line &c. & that there were two persons in Capt. Foss's Company of the name of Col. Hanley's Regiment Samuel Ditson, the one a Sergeant and the other a private, but both deserters." I have made particular inquiry, & find, that there were two persons by the name of Ditson, brothers, who belonged to the army, the one named Samuel, who was the person for whose services his widow now claims a pension, & the other Thomas, who was a private and it is believed that by a careful examination of the files in your office, you will find this to be the fact. I am well aware that Ditson's services are too imperfectly narrated, but you are aware of the difficulty of finding living evidences of a particular transaction, which took place sixty years ago. Since I forwarded the declaration of Mrs. Ditson, I received the affidavit of David Hill of Boston which was intended to have accompanied the declaration, but it was not received until after it was sent on. In this he testifies that he served with Sam d Ditson in Capt Joseph Foss's Company in Col. Henry Jackson's Regiment; but you will perceive that he does not mention in what year. Whether the evidence is, or is not sufficient to prove it to the satisfaction of the Department, the facts are undoubtedly these. - Ditson obtained a furlough & came home, it is believed in the month of March 1778, but that owing to sickness in his family, (his father died the June following) he had so much outstaid the time mentioned in the furlough, that he durst not return; but that soon after, as will appear by the history of those times, General Washington issued a Proclamation, granting a free pardon to all who would return to their duty in the service - that Ditson took advantage of this Proclamation, and did actually return to his duty in the service, & did continue therein until near the close of the war. It appears by some documents, that Col. David Hanley was under arrest in 1778, & tried by a Court-Martial in February; but whether he was broken or not, does not appear. If Col. Hanley was broken, as may probably be found by the files in the Office, it is probable that Ditson returned & joined Capt. Joseph Foss's company in Col. Henry Jackson's Regiment in, or after the year 1778; as the affidavit of David Hill states, that he served with him in Capt. J. Foss's company, & Col. Henry Jackson's Regiment.

Old Mrs Ditson had her reason as she had some few years since, she could give an account of the whole transaction; but she has lost almost all her faculties & nothing which she says can be relied upon. I have been acquainted with Mrs Kittridge where affidavit accompanies this, for many years, & have not the least doubt but what her affidavit of what she has heard her mother state relative to her father's services, is true,
I feel under much obligation to you Sir, for your kindness in forwarding the regulations of your Office from time to time, but I regret the necessity of having to introduce so many new regulations. But the probability is that it will not be necessary to introduce any more new ones, as the claims must be nearly all in. I am no Lawyer Sir, but a Farmer, - I do not therefore undertake to plead the cause of old Mrs Ditson, but hardly to present you a statement of what I believe to be the facts - and I can assure you Sir, that I would not state anything which I did not believe to be fact, for many such Pensions. If the proof now forwarded is deemed insufficient, you will have the goodness to inform me by letter, & I will cause further trial to be made to procure more testimony, although it is attended with much trouble & expense. Mrs Kittridge stated to me that she thought she had heard her mother say that her Father did not come home on the furlough until after the death of his father, if this was the fact he did not come home until June 1778. & she thinks further, that the reason why he did not return at the expiration of his furlough, was on account of the deranged state of his private affairs (as he then owned a farm which the old gentleman took care of in his absence) in consequence of the death of his father. She further stated, that she had heard her mother say, that her father was exceedingly fond of the service - that he had rather been in the service than at home at work on the farm.
Owing to the badness of the traveling in this part of the Country I have not yet received the necessary additional testimony in the case of Mrs Elliot, but as soon as received, I will forward it.
I have the honor to be
With the great respect
Your Obedient Servant
Sam d M. Richardson, Agent for Mary Ditson

Rev WIDOW, &c. am
File No. 15892
Mary Ditson
Wid of
Samuel Ditson
Priv Rev War
Act July 4 th '36
Index: Vol. a , Page 184
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Thos Ditson pri. deserted 1 June 80. discharged 9 July 80 Same Ditson pri (Scotts co.) deserted 7 June 80. Same Ditson serg (Fox) " 1 Mar. 78. Omitted Feb'y 79

Rejected
Let to Mr Richardson 7 Dec 57
Hon C G Atherton 1 June 58
Lt. Barker 8 Dec -
to D. M. Richardson & A. Boleyn
Novem. 21. 1843
" ditto Aug. 12. 1844.
" ditto July 28. 1844
" ditto July 30. 1844
to same Dec. 7th '44

Ditton
Pelham D r H august 22 {
Free
Aug 26 '44 56
James L. Edwards Esquire. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington. District of Columbia.

Pelham N.H. August 19 th 1844.
James L. Edwards Esquire.
Sir. Your Letter of the 12 th inst. has been received. I must confess, that it was with some surprise that I learned thereby, "that though Samuel Ditson's name appears on the six months roll, his actual service only amounts to five months & eleven days, including eleven days for travel." Now it is presumed  assumed that Ditson enlisted in the first place for three years, or for during the war, if it be  so , the documents in your office will show that he deserted, or rather was permitted to go home on furlough, & staid so long over the time specified, that he durst not return. There were many distractions at this time, and General Washington issued a Proclamation, granting a free pardon to all who would return to their duty. Under this proclamation Ditson returned, and performed his duty as a faithful soldier, and a part of the time as a Sergeant, to the end of the war, as is believed, & had an honorable discharge; which like most of the old papers of the kind, have been destroyed. It is several years since we first applied, & we had about given up the matter. The last communication we received before we applied the second time from you, informed us, that there was no proof that Ditson did return to the service after his discharge. After the Massachusetts papers were returned from Washington, we caused another search to be made, & found where Ditson recd. pay for services performed long afterwards. The letter you forwarded, is attached to the Certificate of the Secretary. The next communication we received from you, informed us, that no further action could be had in the case, until the time of the death of the Widow was proved, & the names of the children she left forwarded; which we complied with, & forwarded the same to you, the receipt of which you afterwards acknowledged. It is difficult

to convince, how you could make out that he served less than six months, as there is no doubt but he served more than two years; and the probability is, that had not the Massachusetts papers been, many of them, destroyed, more than three years service would appear. This old man spent all his property in his country's service, & died a pauper; & his widow, who applied for a pension , lived for twenty years dependent on her her children. The heirs now think, that as others have been partaking of the bounties of the Country, who are not right as deserving as they are, that justice demands that they should receive something for the sacrifices made by their parent. We think we have proved beyond a doubt that D. did return at to his duty after his dismission, and there is doubt but that if he did return he continued in the service to the end of the war. I think from some cause, you have misapprehended the case; I would therefore request you to re-examine it, & I make no doubt but you will come to a different conclusion. I have done business with you for many years, & have thought I still think, that you wish to do justice to all. I am very loth to trouble you, or any one else, but the conclusion to which you have come is so evidently erroneous, that I have been compelled to do, not that I would attribute anything wrong to you.
On the 13 th inst. I forwarded a letter to you, making inquiry about the Ditsion case, & on the 12 th you forwarded the letter containing the conclusion to which you had come in the case. It is presumed, that it may be proved by living evidence, that Ditsion served more than months six, or even more than a year, if there would be of any service.
I have the honor to be with much respect, your ob t Servant. Saml. M. Richardson.

2755.
Mary Ditson der d
W.H.
abt 4 July 36
adm d
14. 20 d s pri
68.88 to the
17 may 1838 the day of her death -
To Joseph - Thomas William & Benjamin Ditson. Rhoda Wheeler & Sarah Kilkridge the surviving children
J. M. Richardson Selham W.H.

Pelham N.H. December 6 th 1843-
James L. Edwards Esquire Sir.
In complyance with your note of the 21 st November last stating, that "before any further action can be taken in the case of Mary Ditson, deceased, the Court should certify the day of her death & the names of her surviving Children," I now forward you the Certificate of the Court of Probate, proving those facts. I am very glad, that you still retain the Office of Commissioner of Pensions, as you know more about the case above referred to than any other one, & will be disposed, I make no doubt, to justice in the case.
I have the honor to be
With great respect,
Your obedient Servant
Sam d M. Richardson

No. 21143 No. 21143
Gen. Relating to Service of Same Nelson
K. Edwards Esq
Conner - J. Pearson
Washington
[Handwritten signature]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office: Boston,
Nov 24 1843.
Dr Sir,
I have made the de- sired addition to the enclosed Certif- icate, which is herewith returned
Yrs mo. resp t
Justus Bollen
Mr Edwards

David Hill's Affidavit Mrs. Dikeman can

I David Hill formerly of Billerica in the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, but now of Boston in the County of Suffolk and Commonwealth aforesaid, a Revolutionary Pensioner - now seventy eight  six years of age, do testify that I was well acquainted with Samuel Ditson of said Billerica in the County & Commonwealth aforesaid, was with him in the Army and do know that he serv- ed with me under Capt Joseph Foss in Col. Henry Jackson's Regiment
David Hill
Commonwealth, Middlesex ss. Sept. 13. 1837 of Massachusetts - Personally appeared the above named David Hill, and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true and his testimony is entitled to confidence. Before me Nathan Blanchard Justice of the Peace

Wadsworth & Co. September 15 1877  Isaac Pitkin Esq. And D. D. D.  Isaac Pitkin Esq.
Wadsworth & Co. Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I Isaac Pitkin Esquire of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex hereby certify that "Nathan" Blanchard Esquire is a justice of the Peace within and for said County of Middlesex duly commissioned and qualified; that his signature within written is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this twentieth day of September in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty seven:-
Isaac Pitkin Esquire
The christian name of Blanchard, to wit, "Nathan," was inserted by me. Isaac Pitkin Esq.

Pelham R.H. Aug 14 44
Finca
Aug 17 '44
James L. Edwards Esquire, Commissioner of Pensions. Washington City, District of Columbia.
Ans n on margin of En Aug 17 1844

Pelham N.H. August 13 th 1844.
James L. Edwards Esquire.
Sir.
The heirs of Mary Dition, are very anxious to learn what is to be the fate of their application. They are often calling on me, but I can tell them nothing, except that it is waiting its turn for adjustment. I believe it is over nine months since it was forwarded; and it is believed, that no mechanic in our extended country has nine months work beforehand. It therefore seems, that more clerks should be employed in your department. It seems as though it must have been forwarded, & miscarried. You will have the goodness to inform me.
In April, I forwarded the application of Mrs. Tenney, for the continuance of her deceased husband's pension; but if you take them up in rotation, I shall not hear from that , for a long time to come.
I have the honor to be,
Your Obedient Servant.
Samuel M. Richardson
Adl proof rec Dec 11 1844
Sarah Tenney 24 Drake

Am at
WA
Free Chas. Whittier Enclosed
J. L. Edward Commr of Pensions Washington City.
RECEIVED R. H. A. 1842

St Reps May 25 1838
Sir In answer a - Letter rec d from Lord M c Richardson Esq r of Pelham W th requesting me to make certain inquiries at the Pension.
Will you be so good as to give me the information his requests.
With great respect
Yr obed t Serv t
Chas s Morton
Edward En s Comm r Purvis

Pilham v. H. Oct 17. Oct 21
Yrs truly Mrs. D. L. L. & Mrs. Elliot,
Sir
James L. Edwards Esquire, Commissioner of Pensions Washington City
Sept 30
Oct 7
Ans? Oct 25. 1837
66.66 2 2 2 68 3/8

Pelham N.Y. October 13, 1837
James L. Edwards Esq
Sir - I have recd a printed Communication without date or signature, I suppose from you, as it has your frank, on the margin of which is the following "The indorsement of the name of a person by whom the papers in support of a claim are transmitted is not deemed sufficient." I suppose by the mark against the last paragraph, that particular reference is had thereto, which says. Persons frequently transmit papers to this Office without any letter showing by whom they are sent: I was well aware of this, & to guard against any failure from this source, I placed on the back of the Declarations of Mrs Ditson & Mrs Eliot the following, as near as I can recollect; "Declaration of Rachel Eliot, widow of John Eliot, with the necessary papers to substantiate the same, for a pension under the act of 1836, taken and forwarded through the Post Office Pelham N.Y."
"By Saml M. Richardson"
I supposed this would be sufficient, as I pursued the same course with the two last which I forwarded before these, with only this difference; I placed the same on the wrapper which contained the whole case, & these two, on the declarations. This must be a new rule, as not a word was said against the admission of the two claims referred to, on that account.
After the most careful examination of the case, I am utterly at a loss to know what further course to pursue & must wait further instructions except this explanation is deemed sufficient.
I am respectfully
Your obedient Servant
Saml M. Richardson

Elham D r Dec 12 }
Finca
Dec 16 44
J r H
Parry
James
L. Edwards Esquire, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington City District of Columbia

Pelham N.Y. December 10 th 1844
James L. Edwards Esquire
Sir
Your note of the 7 th inst. is before me. You inform me that you the evidence in the case of Mary Ditson, Widow of Samuel Ditson, is satisfactory for fourteen months & twenty days . I am glad even for this, although if the papers had none of them been destroyed, it would have been easy to have proved, that he was entitled to a full pension
Your letter to me of the 21 st . Nov r . 1843, gave notice, that before any further action could be had, in the case above refered to, the Court must certify the day of the death, of the sd. Mary & the names of the Children who survived her. On the 6 th of Dec r . last, I attended the Probate Court in this County, and procured the required testimony, and immediately forward it to you at Washington, duly executed; & you subsequently acknowledged its receipt. The certificate you require must be in your Office, & you must have overlooked it. If it cannot be found & must be had, let me know & I will attend to it again. Has the case of the Widow of Edmund Tenney been attended to?
I have the honor to be with much respect Your Obedient Servt. Samuel M. Richardson.

Pelham Oct Nov 5.
Finch
Nov 2. 1848
Adolfus and
son
Nov 2.
James L. Edwards Esquire, Washington City District of Columbia. Commissioner of Pensions,

Pelham N.H. November 5. 1844.
James L. Edwards Esq.
Sir. In your Letter of August 28 th , you say, "If the precise time of Samuel Ditson's return to his duty were ascertained, any service subsequently performed might furnish the foundation of a Pension." By the certificate of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which I enclose, it will be seen, that the name of Samuel Ditson was borne on the Roll of the eight months service in October 1775, and from all we can gather he deserted some time within those eight months, & after October. I do not now recollect when Genl. Washington issued his proclamation, offering pardon to all deserters who would return to their duty; but it is agreed on all hands, & proved by papers on file in the department, that he returned immediately after. If this be the case, all the services he subsequently performed, should go to establish his right to a Pension. By the accompanying Document, we have his services, running through all the time up to 1780. & could the papers which were destroyed, belonging to Massachusetts be produced, there can be no doubt, but that his services might be traced to the close of the war. It appears that the 8 months service mentioned and Col. Baldwin was raised from Woburn, but it does not follow that all the soldiers belonged to that town or Woburn & Billerica adjoin, & it is probable the company was enlisted from that and the adjoining towns. And although you mentioned in your first communication to me on the subject, that there were two Samuel Ditsons, (Sergeant Samuel Ditson & Private Samuel Ditson) both deserters, this was undoubtedly an error, as there was no other family in that region by that name. There was a Thomas Ditson, brother to Samuel, who was in the service, & drew a pension to the time of his death, but he never was a Sergeant, but it cannot be doubted, but what Samuel was a Sergeant.

I do not know that I can cast any more light on the subject. It has been so long before you, that you can act upon it speedily. It is presumed that this is the oldest case before you, it therefore ought to be taken up first. I have no doubt but you will come to the conclusion that these heirs are entitled to something.
I have the honor to be
With much respect
Your Obedient Servant
Sam t M. Richardson

Certificate of the Town Clerk of Lexington, relative to the marriage of Sam d Ditson to Mary Gurnes

This certifies that in the records of marriages of the town of Lexington, County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, for the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred & seventy, I find the following record.
"Samuel Ditson of Billerica and Mary Grimes of Lexington were joined in marriage the eighteenth day of September in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred & seventy."
The above is an exact copy of the record with the exception of the date, which is expressed in the record in fair legible figures as follows, "September 18, 1770"
Charles Tidd, Town Clerk of Lexington
I Charles Tidd above named depose & say that I hold the office of Town Clerk of Lexington in the County & State aforesaid & that the above is a true extract from the records of said Lexington with the exception above named as certified by me -
Charles Tidd, Town Clerk of Lexington
Lexington Dec. 28, 1837.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts } Middlesex ss. Dec 29 th 1837 Personally appeared the within named Charles Tidd and made oath, that the within certificate by him subscribed is a true copy of records before me Nathan Blanchard Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss. I Isaac Pitkin Mayor of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth aforesaid hereby certify that Nathan Blanchard Esq; was a justice of the Peace within & for said County duly commissioned & qualified; & that his signature above written is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court, this third day of January in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty eight Isaac Pitkin Mayor

Silvanus Wood of Woburn, County of Middlesex, Massachusetts, Gentleman, eighty six years of age, do hereby testify: That I was, when a boy, well acquainted with Samuel Ditson, formerly of Billerica in said County, & he & I attended the same meeting, & he enlisted in the Revolutionary service, in the first part of the war, & in 1778, I believe, he informed me he had been in the service about three years, that he moved to the westward, & was at Tyndendale, & in the battle when fought with Genl Burgoyne & saw him surrender & that he remained in that vicinity some time after - I was not in the same company or regiment with him, but being well acquainted with him often conversed on the subject, soon after his return & since, & he was a man of truth & I am confident his statement to me is correct. He married Mary Grimes of Lexington whom I also knew. Said Ditson has been dead over twenty years, I think,
Silvanus Wood
Subscribed & sworn to before me This personally appeared the above named Silvanus Wood & made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him signed & he is a credible witness. In his testimony entitled the true confidence. Before Me Nathan Richardson Clerk of the Court

of Joshua Reed, of Dedham - County of Middlesex Massachusetts, about seventy five years of age testify, that I was well acquainted with Sam- uel Ditson, then of Milford, in said County, which then joined Dedham, & he lived near me, some short time before the commencement of the Revolutionary war; I was in the Green, & am a freeman, & said Ditson, enlisted in front of the war, & served several years, as he in- formed me, but I was not in his company or Regiment. I went into Rhode Island, & he to Westport, & told me, he was at the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne. I saw him at home, on a furlough, while he belonged to service, in 1778.
I believe he was in Col. Fry's Regi- ment, but do not am not certain - nor do I remember his Captain's name; He has been dead many years; Joshua Reed
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss. Dedham, August 10 th A.D. 1837 Then personally appeared the above named Joshua Reed, & made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him signed & he is a credible witness & entitled to confi- dence: Before me William Richardson } Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Whereas I Isaac Dike Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex do hereby certify that the within copy of the will of Myra A. Chapman Esquire, is a true copy of the will as shown to the said County duly confirmed & qualified & that his signature written on the within is his genuine signature,
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court of Probate this fifteenth day of August in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty seven Isaac Dike Reg.

I Sarah Kittredge the wife of Abner Kittredge of Pittsfield in the County of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire, on my oath depose and say that I have heard my Mother Mary Ditson say that my Father Samuel Ditson came home out of the Army on a furlough, and that he overstaid the time stated in the furlough; in consequence, as I think, of the death of his father, which took place as I have always heard, in the year 1778, in June. He staid so much over the time, that he did not dare to return, as my mother told me - but waited until General Washing- ton issued a Proclamation granting a free pardon to all who would return to their duty in the service. that that he availed himself of this Proclama- -tion, and did return to the service, & serve out the time for which he enlisted. I further state that my mother is now so broken down by age & infirmity, that nothing which she can say on the subject will cast any light on the subject. Three years ago she could have told all about the matter. My Father did not leave the service because he was disaffected with it, (as I have heard my mother say,) as he was always fond of a military life
Sarah Kittredge
State of New Hampshire Hillsborough County ss - On the 13 th day of January A.D. 1838. Personally appeared the above named Sarah Kittredge and made solemn oath in due form of law that the above affi- -davit by her subscribed is true.
Before me Sam d M. Richardson, Just. Peace
I hereby certify that Mary Kittredge is a most credible witness and is entitled to the fullest credit for truth and veracity, & that I firmly believe the facts stated in the above affidavit & signed by said Sarah Kittredge, are true —
Sam d M. Richardson Justice of Peace

State of New Hampshire Secretary's Office Decr. 13. 1838
The within named Samuel M. Richardson is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Hillsborough duly qualified and his signature genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set the Seal of the State. Ralph Metcalf Secy of State.

Pelham N.Y. Sept 16.
Hon. James M. Porter, Secretary of War of the United States.
Washington City
District of Columbia Pension Office Recd. Sep. 20/43 of Sanderson Pension of Benjamin Samuel Mitchell Sept. 14/43 Pelham N.Y.
R. Sep. 20. 1843 Add. evidence Case Mary Ditson N. A. France

Pelham N.H. September 14 th 1843.
The Honorable James M. Porter, Secretary of war of the United States Sir.
Not knowing whither the Commissioner of Pensions is still continued or not, I take the liberty to forward this to you, with a request, that if Mr. Edwards, or any other person now acts as Commissioner of Pensions, that this communication may be handed to him, & if not, that such measures may be taken in your department, as justice shall seem to require.
In 1838, Mrs. Mary Ditson of Pelham N. H. Widow of Samuel Ditson deceased, made application for a Pension; but owing to the fact that Ditson was a deserter from the Army, and no evidence could then be found that he returned to his duty, she was not placed on the Pension list. Since the Massachusetts papers have been returned from Washington, and properly arranged (the Secretary of the state having recently published the fact) we have caused a further search, & find what accompanies this; which we think, goes clearly to prove, that he did return to his duty in the service of his country. The Declaration of Mrs. Ditson, and the accompanying papers, it is presumed are now on file in the Pension Office, & by reference the true state of the case may be found. The Children Mr. Ditson, think they have a claim on the Country, (the Widow being dead) as well as others similarly situated. And though several years have elapsed since the application was made, they think it no less due on that account. They therefore claim to be placed on the Pension list, that the sum due to the time of Mrs. Ditson's death, may be received by them.
I have the honor to be
With much respect
Your obedient Servant
Samuel M. Richardson.
N.B. Please direct to Samuel M. Richardson, Pelham, New Hampshire.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, September 18 1863
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Samuel Dillson of Billerica is borne upon the September pay roll of said town for the year 1780, to December 30, which roll was paid by an act of Council March 1. 1782. This is the only service found of said Dillson subsequent to March 1. 1780.
The amount of service credited is from August 1 to Dec 30. 1780. and 14 days travel.
Samuel Dillson does not appear to be credited with service rendered by a substitute on the Billerica roll.
And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this

Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone: and that said application and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances which tend to satisfy me of the identity of the party described in the application with the individual who rendered the service.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Jno A. Bolles Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Wm Kittredge
Salem N.H.

Find out whether Saml Dition of Billerica, sergeant, returned to his duty
Mrs Dition December 1830 Letter from J L Edwards
Report of the Commissioner for Pensions

War Department
Pension Office
December 8 1838
Sir,
I have caused a further examination of the M ap s & rolls to be made in relation to the service of Samuel Ditson, dec d . but find nothing that places the claim of his widow in a more favorable light. It seems that there were two persons of that name, both in Col. Hovey's regiment; one in Foss's and the other in Scott's company; and both deserted from the Army in 1778. I find no evidence that either of these men ever returned again to their duty. If, however, satisfactory proof can be furnished that Samuel Ditson, who went from Billerica, did return, & that he continued to serve his time out, an allowance might be made to the widow for the amount of service that he may have performed after his rejoining the army.
I am, respectfully,
Your obt. servt.
J. L. Edwards
J. M. Barker, Esq.
Present

Letter From Crump relative to Mrs. Ditson
Dear Sir, I have the honor to inform you that the Crump relative to Mrs. Ditson is now in the hands of the proper authorities. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, J. Crump
I have the honor to be Sir, your obedient servant, J. Crump
To the Honorable J. Crump

War Department, Pension Office, June 1, 1838.
Sir,
I have the honor to return you the letter of Mr. Richardson, and in reply to state that the additional evidence is not sufficient to remove the objections in the case of Mrs. Mary Ditson, widow of Samuel Ditson, deceased.
Agreeably to the rolls private Samuel Ditson, of Hensly's regiment deserted 7 June 1780 and Sergeant Samuel Ditson of same regiment deserted 1 March 1780.
If the claimant's husband did rejoin and serve in Jackson's Regiment the Army Books in the Office of the Secretary of Massachusetts will show all the payments to him. But with the entries in the rolls unexplained by other documents and records no allowance can be made to her.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedt. servt. Geo. W. Brumf
Hon. C. G. Atherton, House of Representatives. }

APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF REVOLUTIONARY SERVICES BY THE WIDOW. Hein
State of Mass s County of Suffolk Town of Boston
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his office, of the service of my late husband father-in-law - Samuel Ditson,
He enlisted in the year _____ from the town of Billerica in the County of Middlesex and State of Mass s in the Company of Capt. Foy's in Hensley's Regiment, and served as Sergeant until the end of the war We were married in the year He died in the year _____
The only other facts which I recollect, are as follows, viz:—
He is marked as deserted - but he re- turned into the army & served in Jackson's Regiment
sent to Pelham N.H.
199 Sam Ditson

I married his daughter Sarah Ditson, who is still living
I am now _____ years old, and my memory does not enable me to state any thing further material to the search required.
I have empowered Sam l M. Richardson of Pelham New Hampshire to act in the premises as my Attorney.
Witness my hand, this twenty first day of August
A. D. 1843
Oliver H. Dittledge
Signed in my presence } by said
Oliver H. Dittledge Jno A. Dole
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston;
Oct 26 1811.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Samuel Ditson is borne upon the eight months rolls in October and Coat rolls in 1778 in the company of Capt Joseph Pitkin 1st Balaam from Woburn
8-0
The name of Saml Ditson is borne upon a payroll of Capt Joshua Walker Colr Denny from Oct 9. 1779 to Jan 11 1780 4 mo 11 days.
1-11
The name of Saml Ditson is borne upon the roll of the town of Billerica from Aug 1. 1780 5 mo 9 days.
5-9
No other service is found on the rolls in this Office.
14-20

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence Commencement of Aug 28 1841 of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears ; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contains all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Packer, Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Affidavit of Jos Dilson

I Joseph Ditson of Boston in the County of Suffolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, now sixty four years of age, son of the late Samuel Ditson of Billerica in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth aforesaid, do hereby testify that when my late father entered the army I was not old enough to remember it but during the revolutionary war do well recall his coming home dressed in his Regimentals, and his going away again. at that time he owned a farm in Fair Billerica and I very well remember that my Mother occasionally hired a man to carry on the farm for several years. I also remember his coming home for good; and I am well per- suaded that I must then have been nine or ten or years of age - have often heard him converse about the war since, have heard him tell of his being at Ticonderoga and in the battle fought with Gen. Burgoyne, and saw him surrender; and also have heard him tell of being south; and from my best knowledge do believe he was in the service during the greater part of the revolutionary war - My late father has been dead twenty five years - died in eighteen hundred and twelve
Joseph Ditson

Commonwealth of Massachusetts — Middlesex ss. September  September 2 1837 Then personally appeared the above named Joseph Ditson and made oath to the truth of foregoing affidavit by him signed and he is a credible witness and his testimony is worthy of full confidence. Before me Nathan Blanchard Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss. I Elias Phinney Clerk of the Sup. Judicial Court, for the County of Middlesex do certify that Nathan Blanchard Esq. is a Justice of the Peace within said County of Middlesex, and that his name subscribed to the above certificate is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court the 2 d day of September 1837.
E. Phinney

I Sarah Kittridge of Pelham in the County of Hillsborough & State of New Hampshire of lawful age on my oath depose and say - that I was a Daughter of Samuel Ditson formerly of Bellerica in Massachusetts - that I lived with him until I was eighteen years old - I have often heard him say that he was in the Revolutionary war most of the time to the close of it - I have also heard him say that he was a Sergeant but how long I do not recollect. My Mother Mary Ditson the widow of said Samuel Ditson, came to reside with me about thirty years since, & has resided with me to the present time. She has not intermarried but continues the widow of the said Samuel Ditson to the present time. From all the circumstances which I what I have  can gather from heard my father & others say, I have not the least doubt but my said father served in the Revolutionary war most of the time to the close of it. My mother died December 1812 -
Sarah Kittridge
State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough County ss - Pelham September 22 nd 1837
Then personally appeared the above named Sarah Kittridge and made oath in due form of law that the above affidavit by her subscribed is according to the best of her belief true
Before me, Sam l . M. Richardson, Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that Sarah Kittridge the deponent above named is entitled to the full credit for truth & veracity -
Sam l . M. Richardson Just. Peace

W 2755
Affidavit Lith. W. ...
Mary Ditson N.H.
Declaration of Mary Ditson, Widow of the late Samuel Ditson, a private Co. in the Army of the Revolution Forwarded through the Post-Office Pelham N.Y.
By Samuel M. Richardson - 14 mo 20 days since
Not. L. ...
of Regt Capt ... of 3 yrs ... pre ... ... ... The Service ... Henry ... Ditson having deserted in 1778

I Seth Wymen of Windham in the County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire Yeoman of lawful age on my oath depose and say, that I was well acquainted with Lieutenant Samuel Ditson formerly of Belleriea in Massachusetts. Many years since I went on business to Colonel Blanchard's who then kept a Tavern in Wilmington in Massachusetts, and staid there two or three days. While I was there Colonel Blanchard observed, when speaking of Lieut. Ditson, that he the said Ditson served as Ensign under him, if I rightly understand in the Revolutionary war, & that he was afterwards promoted to Sergeant-Major, and that he continued in the service of the United States at this time for three years. Said Blanchard said that he commanded the Company of which said Ditson was the orderly Sergeant, if my memory was right and that he was an active Officer. Col. Blanchard has since deceased.
Seth Wymen.
State of New Hampshire Hillsborough County ss - Pelham September 22 d . 1837 - Then personally appeared the above named Seth Wymen and made oath in due form of law, that the above affidavit by him subscribed is according to the best of his belief true - Before me, Saml. M. Richardson Justice of Peace
I hereby certify that the above named deponent is entitled to full credit for truth and veracity - Saml. M. Richardson Justice of Peace

Off. W. 1837
W 2755
Mary D. D. N. H.
Declaration of Mary D. D. N. H. Samuel D. D. N. H. in the Army of the Revolution forwarded through the Post-Office Pelham N. H.
By Samuel M. Richardson 14/100 20 days' notice
Analysis of 300... pre... 150... 100... the... D. D. N. H. D. D. N. H. D. D. N. H. 1778
State of New Hampshire
Secretary's Office Sept. 25. 1837.
The within named William M. Richardson is chief Justice of the Superior Court of Judicature in said State and Samuel M. Richardson is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Hillsborough each duly qualified and their signatures are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set the seal of the State. Ralph Metcalf Secy of State.